South Africa faces a formidable challenge as it contends with one of the driest climates globally, averaging a mere 464mm of rain annually, far below the global average of 786mm. The severity of this crisis is heightened by the climate catastrophe, worsening water scarcity by the day.

Lauren Gillis, founder of The Relate Trust, underscores the urgency of the situation: “Within the last six years, two major South African cities have come close to ‘Day Zero’ scenarios where the taps would have run completely dry.” Sadly, for some smaller towns and villages, Day Zero is already a grim reality. Take, for instance, QwaQwa in the Free State, where over 140,000 households endure dry taps for months on end, with intermittent access to water at best.

A myriad of factors contributes to this dire situation, ranging from low dam levels and aging infrastructure to sabotage and vandalism. Gillis notes that these issues aren’t confined to rural areas alone; even Johannesburg, the economic heartland, grapples with its water crisis. “Thanks to a lack of maintenance and infrastructure investment, [Johannesburg] has experienced several major outages over the past few years,” she reveals.

The ramifications of this crisis extend beyond inconvenience, particularly for rural women who bear the brunt of water scarcity. Gillis paints a poignant picture: “For women in rural South Africa, getting water is a long, and often dangerous walk every single day.” These journeys, spanning approximately 6 km, are laden with risks, and the fetched water is often contaminated, exacerbating health and safety concerns.

Yet, the water crisis isn’t solely about dry taps. It intersects with issues of health, education, gender equity, and economic development. Gillis emphasizes, “Access to consistent sources of clean water is crucial to poverty reduction.” The World Health Organization echoes this sentiment, highlighting the role of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene in fostering resilient, healthy communities.

While government initiatives are underway to address water scarcity, Gillis stresses the need for collective action. “Fixing these issues cannot fall solely on the shoulders of the government,” she asserts. “Businesses, organizations, and individuals all have a role to play.”

Indeed, progress is possible through concerted efforts, as demonstrated by Cape Town during its severe drought. Implementing waterwise technologies and behaviors led to a drastic reduction in water usage, from 1.2 billion liters per day to 516 million liters per day by 2018. Though usage has since increased, this achievement underscores the potential of sustained collective action.

One such initiative spearheaded by Gillis and Relate is a walk/run event aimed at constructing sustainable solar water systems to provide clean water for thousands. Partnering with Innovation Africa, this endeavor empowers communities by involving them in the process and upskilling individuals for future maintenance.

In the face of South Africa’s water crisis, solidarity and action are imperative. As Gillis aptly summarizes, “Everyone needs to play a part in solving SA’s water crisis.” Through collaboration and innovation, we can turn the tide against water scarcity, ensuring a brighter, hydrated future for all.